Marian (Klatt) Markovich McIlvin

Marian Klatt Markovich McIlvin, of Cheshire, CT, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, just hours before her 103rd birthday, which she had celebrated on Saturday surrounded by family. Born in Plainville to Viola Ruth (Wahlig) and Charles Klatt, she was predeceased by husbands William Markovich and Robert McIlvin; siblings Charles Klatt, Jr., Elizabeth Klatt, and Ruth Patt Olson; and sons Nicholas and Peter Markovich. She is survived by daughters Marilyn Markovich Shesko and Elizabeth Markovich DiMaio (Alfred); grandchildren Nina DiMaio Leon (Sergio), Benjamin DiMaio (Tara), and Elizabeth Shesko (Adam Wallace); great-grandchildren Ewing, Dominic, Jayden, Rebecca, and Grant; and many nieces and nephews. All will miss her vibrant and loving presence in their lives.

After graduating from Plainville High School, Marian attended Central Connecticut State College, where she earned a B.E. in 1940 and a M.S. in 1963. A life-long learner and educator, she taught students from kindergarten through the university level in Groton, Terryville, and Farmington. She worked for over 35 years in the Farmington district and served as president of its Teacher’s Association. Marian also served as Superintendent of Sunday School at the Farmington Congregational Church. Later in life, she was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and the Elim Park Chapel.

An adventurous traveler into her late 80s, Marian visited all the states in the U.S., all of Canada’s provinces and territories, most of Eastern and Western Europe, China, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and Mexico. During her trips and in gardens closer to home, she cultivated her love of birdwatching and photography. In addition to developing their own photographs in a home darkroom, she and her husband produced and showed travelogue slide shows throughout the region in a series entitled, “Around the World with Bob and Marian.” She also enjoyed the genealogical research that added to her repertoire of family stories.

Independent until the pandemic, Marian was grateful to her daughters and the medical professionals at Elim Park who made it possible for her to remain in her apartment. Calling hours at Scott Funeral Home in Terryville will start at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 8, with a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. If you plan to attend, please wear a mask. Burial will follow at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Orthodox Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Marian’s memory to Connecticut Audubon Society https://www.ctaudubon.org/donate-memorial-or-tribute-gifts/ or Central Connecticut State University Class of 1940 Scholarship Fund.

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